Off-site analysis

For the off-site analysis, the designated laboratories are used. These laboratories have instrumental capability, preparedness, and analytical methods to analyze the samples taken by the inspectors or by the inspected SP representatives. The samples sent (after the agreement of the inspected SP) to the off-site laboratory are coded, and therefore the laboratory receiving the samples will not know their origin. The laboratories are capable of confirming the presence or absence of CWC-related chemicals and other chemicals, but must report only data relevant to the purpose of the analysis as defined by the OPCW. The laboratory s work on the OPCW samples is confidential, which is a normal practice when regarding the work with laboratory s other collaborators and commercial business partners. The work is reported only to the OPCW. 

The list of approved equipment contains two sample transport containers designed for the transport of samples for off-site analysis. The two containers are labelled as Targe- and small sample transport kits (Pictures 3 and 4) and both are designed to fulfill the requirements for air transport [IATA (International Air Transport Association) provision A106] (6) and international standards for road, railway, and sea transport. The large container has been designed and tested by the United States and the small container by the United Kingdom. Therefore, the two containers are frequently referred to as US and UK containers. 

The Role of the OPCW Laboratory in Rijswijk during Off-site Analysis... 

When off-site analysis is to be performed, samples shall be analysed in at least two designated laboratories. The Technical Secretariat shall ensure the expeditious processing of the analysis. The samples shall be accounted for by the Technical Secretariat and any unused samples or portions thereof shall be returned to the Technical Secretariat. 

Sample transport kits are designed to fulfil the requirements for air transport of OPCW samples for off-site analysis under International Air Transport Association (IATA) provision 106 and international standards for road, railway, and sea transport. 

In order to have sufficient sample material for onsite and off-site analysis, OPCW procedures recommend collecting the amount of sample material listed in Table 3 ... 

The ISP has the right to retain portions of all samples taken or to take duplicate samples (CWC VA Part II paragraph 54) therefore, any sample collected during an inspection is split into several fractions. In case of off-site analysis, split portions of the respective sample are sent to a minimum of two designated laboratories. These split portions are prepared, packed, and sealed on site during the inspection and are only opened at designated laboratories. 

An alternative to the splitting procedures described above, if agreed in advance with the ISP, is to take two equal portions sufficient for analysis out of the original sample. Of the two portions, one will be used for on-site analysis and the other one is handed to the ISP. If after on-site analysis no further processing is required, the remaining sample can be returned to the ISP or destroyed. In case off-site analysis, the remaining sample will then be divided into six equal portions. 

While the CWC stipulates that samples should preferably be analyzed on site (VA Part II Paragraph 53), the inspection team shall, if it deems necessary, transfer samples for analysis off site at designated laboratories (VA Part n Paragraph 55). The necessity to send samples for off-site analysis may arise from various reasons, such as... 

The decision to send samples off site is made by the ITL in consultation with the ACs of the inspection team. The ITL will send a request to the Director-General, asking permission to send samples for off-site analysis. The approval of this request will trigger various activities at the HQ and on site. 

There is one element within the proficiency test process that causes difficulties for many of the participants. The proficiency-testing scheme trains participants to not report chemicals that are considered irrelevant within the scenario of the test and which, in real off-site analysis, could reveal confidential information that is considered not relevant in the context of the CWC. A review on how the test scenarios were applied revealed that participants are not really in a position to judge the relevancy of chemicals. It rather should be the Technical Secretariat making a final decision on the relevancy of chemicals instead, and, for that reason, accept the reporting of any chemical given that it is a degradation product of a Scheduled chemical or directly related to a Scheduled chemical. 

M.T. Soderstrom, Fourier transform infrared in on-site and off-site analysis of chemicals... 

The OPCW Laboratory conducts a Proficiency Testing program (as described in Chapter 6) for the purpose of selecting and maintaining designated laboratories. The OCAD has been used extensively by all laboratories participating in the tests and will undoubtedly be an important reference in any event of off-site analysis. 

M. Mesilaakso, and A. Niederhauser, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in analysis of chemicals related to the chemical weapons convention, in Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, R.A. Meyers (Ed.), Copyright John Wiley Sons, Ltd, Chichester, 2000, pp. 1026-1055. M. Soderstrom, Fourier transform infrared in onsite and off-site analysis of chemicals related to the chemical weapons convention, in Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, R.A. Meyers (Ed.), Copyright John Wiley Sons, Ltd, Chichester, 2000, pp. 943-963. 

ROPs have been developed and validated for air, aqueous liquid (water), soil, wipe, active charcoal, concrete, paint, rubber, and other polymeric samples for off-site analysis. 

The EPA mobile lab analyzed soil samples for lead, zinc, copper, and nickel by XRF. Because arsenic had been identified as the element that presents the greatest risk to human health at the Cos Cob site, samples from the 0—1 ft (0—0.3 m) to 1—2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) intervals were sent off-site for analysis by inductively coupled plasma/ atomic emission spectrometry. If the off-site analysis showed arsenic concentrations greater than 10 ppm (the Connecticut direct exposure criterion for soil), the field investigators progressively analyzed samples in 1 -ft (0.3 m) intervals below and surrounding the sample, delineating hot spots, until the remaining contamination was lower than 5 ppm. 

C) On-site sampling detection real-time detection, sampling off-site analysis, sampling on-site analysis... 

In the case of equipment for the collection, preparation or analysis of samples, the inspection team will retain only data relevant to the purpose of the inspection. It is understood that in the case of negative results of the analysis in terms of the presence of chemicals searched for in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, the respective sample, computer file and any print-outs will be considered not relevant in the terms of the inspection mandate. This is without prejudice to both the right of the inspection team to transfer a sample for off-site analysis and the rights of a State Party in the case of a challenge inspection. 

Paragraph 55 of Part II of the Verification Annex provides for the transfer of samples taken during inspections off-site for analysis at designated laboratories. The process of sampling is inherently relevant to the verification of compliance with the Convention, but such samples may also incidentally carry and potentially yield other information which is itself not directly relevant to verification. For this reason, the inspection manual shall include procedures for ensuring the protection of the confidentiality of samples transferred for off-site analysis at designated laboratories. 

Continuous monitoring real-time detection, collection detection, collection olT-site anal i Point detection real-time detection, collection detection, ofT-site analysis O On-site sampling detection Real-time detection Sampling off-site analysis... 

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